Sports
Rockets look for rare season sweep over Grizzlies
Jan 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) reacts after a dunk against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images The Houston Rockets visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday in a Western Conference showdown, hoping to do something they haven’t done in 15 seasons.
Sweep the regular-season series.
Houston won the first three games, starting with an Oct. 25 blowout in Houston (128-108), but the last two have been decided by four or fewer points.
And while both teams enter the game having won seven of their last nine, the Rockets’ run stretches back to the beginning of 2025.
Houston, second in the Western Conference and 1 1/2 games ahead of third-place Memphis, is on a four-game winning streak and has won 10 of its last 12, starting on Jan. 5.
The Rockets beat Boston 114-112 on Monday behind a franchise-record-tying 10 3-pointers from Dillon Brooks, then knocked off Atlanta on Tuesday, building an 16-point fourth-quarter advantage and surviving a furious rally by the Hawks before claiming a 100-96 victory.
As for the Grizzlies, they had their six-game winning streak snapped in overpowering fashion by the New York Knicks on Monday, losing 143-106 — Memphis’ worst defeat of the season. The Grizzlies committed 26 turnovers and the Knicks converted the mistakes into 36 points. Memphis also gave up 17 offensive boards resulting in 28 points.
“We were just out of sync from the start,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. “We didn’t have it for 40 minutes.”
Usually sure-handed guard Desmond Bane committed a team-high six turnovers.
“We had so many uncharacteristic moments in the game defensively and offensively, and it was definitely not our best night,” Jenkins said.
Houston has found its footing this season behind Brooks, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Jalen Green.
Green scored 25 in the win over the Hawks, including 12 in the third quarter. Sengun finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Brooks has made 13 3-pointers in the team’s past two games.
Green, in his fourth season, leads the Rockets with a 21.3 scoring average. More importantly, he has been durable, riding a streak of 150 consecutive starts.
“It’s something you don’t take for granted,” said Houston coach Ime Udoka, in his second season with the team. “I know he hasn’t missed a game since I’ve been here.
“He plays through everything. He plays through injuries and pains and things most guys would sit out from. It takes a certain amount of toughness, for sure. Look at him … he’s not the most physical, but (has) that toughness to play through everything.”
Udoka said he realized quickly that Green was different.
“We knew (about Green’s toughness) last year when he played all 82 (regular-season games),” Udoka said. “And it shows in his competitiveness and his mental and physical toughness.”
Since Jan. 1, Green has scored 25 or more points in 10 of the team’s 14 games. He recorded only eight games of 25 or more in the previous two months-plus covering 32 games.
Thompson has made his contributions, as well. Since Jan. 5, he is one of only four players in the NBA averaging 18 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
Returning home after Monday’s road game may prove beneficial to the Grizzlies. They are 19-5 at FedExForum and recently completed a sweep of a four-game homestand. Their last home loss came Jan. 9, 119-115 to the Rockets.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Feb 22, 2026; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) looks on from inside the dugout against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol received a two-year contract extension through the 2028 season, the team announced Sunday.
Financial terms were not disclosed by the team, which holds an option for the 2029 season.
“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time — and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said.
“He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow. I am energized to continue working with him towards the on-field success that we expect and that our fans deserve.”
Marmol, 39, has guided the Cardinals to a 325-323 record during his four seasons as the skipper. He led St. Louis to the National League Central title in 2022 before the team fell in the wild-card series to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last season, the Cardinals posted a 78-84 record to finish in fourth place in the NL Central.
Marmol was a coach with St. Louis from 2017-21 under previous managers Mike Shildt and Mike Matheny.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
Oct 31, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Tyler Reif (41) during the NASCAR Truck Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie Tyler Reif was treated for heat exhaustion after Saturday night’s street race in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Reif, 18, was transported to an area medical facility after finishing 16th in the race in the No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet. He was later released.
“Tyler and his family would like to express their gratitude to the NASCAR officials, track medical workers and the local medical facility staff for their care,” Niece Motorsports said in a release.
Reif made his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series in 2025. Saturday’s race was just his third on the circuit, including a 17th-place finish at Atlanta on Feb. 21.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: RB David Montgomery 'wants out' of Detroit
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Lions running back David Montgomery “wants out” of Detroit after three seasons, ESPN reported on Sunday.
Montgomery, however, immediately appeared to refute the report on X, posting: “Damn, Dmo told you that?”
The ESPN report claims the Lions would want “a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder)” in the 2026 NFL Draft in return for Montgomery, who turns 29 in June and is owed $6 million next season.
The report follows general manager Brad Holmes’ remarks after the season about Montgomery being unhappy with his playing time in 2025. Sharing a backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, Montgomery rushed for a career-low 716 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games (no starts).
“Those are conversations that we’re going to have to have because I’ve got a lot of respect for that player,” Holmes said of Montgomery in January. “He deserves to be in a situation where his skillset can be utilized, and so yeah would love for it to be here, but if it can’t be here then you’d just love to see where could work out best for him.”
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Holmes said the situation with Montgomery is “fluid.” He signed a two-year extension during the 2024 season that runs through the end of the 2027 campaign.
“Yeah, I have been in touch with David’s agent, and his representation,” Holmes revealed. “Obviously, we love David, he’s a great player, we love to have him, you know, kind of want to put last year in the rear view, and just move forward. But, obviously, a player has to want to be at a certain place as well. The conversations are still fluid, but we’ll see how it goes.”
Montgomery has rushed for 2,506 yards and 33 touchdowns in 45 games (28 starts) in three seasons with Detroit (2023-25). He has 76 catches for 650 yards in that span.
He began his career with the NFC North rival Chicago Bears, who drafted him in the third round in 2019. Montgomery rushed for 3,609 yards and 26 scores in 60 games (51 starts) with the Bears (2019-22).
–Field Level Media
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
